At their regular meeting on July 20, the Chaffee Housing Authority (CHA) took a number of actions, including new officer elections and a vote to approve Resolution 2023-17, establishing a partnership with Paul Andrews, developer of The Crossings project in Buena Vista.
After exiting an Executive Session, Resolution 2023-18, was approved, establishing an operating agreement with Buena Vista-based housing manufacturer Fading West LLC for the Carbonate Street Apartment project, also in Buena Vista.
The CHA Board also heard reports from Executive Director Ashley Kappel, as well as committee reports; and discussed the Letter of Intent (LOI) for the Jane’s Place housing project that the Salida City Council approved at its July 18 meeting.
Kappel explained that the LOI from Salida is meant to cover any potential gap in funding, up to $240,000. Vice-Chair Joseph Teipel gave details about how Jane’s Place was being financed through a combination of donations, grants, and loans; as well as $260,000 from the Chaffee Board of County Commissioners, as a reallocation of a portion of the county’s lodging tax.
CHA pursues multiple grants
City council Member Jane Templeton, and CHA board member Eileen Rogers listen to Commissioner Baker’s remarks. Behind them, a Salida Circus performer (Whitmer was very involved in Salida Circus.) Photo by Jan Wondra.
Kappel went on to say that the CHA was working with the county’s Public Health Department on other grants, and that further affordable housing opportunities included an apartment complex in Buena Vista as well working with realtor Jeff Post on the Salida Inclusionary Housing (IH) program, and land-banking possibilities opened up by Proposition 123.
Partnership with Paul Andrews for The Crossings
She then introduced Andrews to give a presentation on The Crossings before the vote on Resolution 2023-17.
Andrews explained that the project would be built on 16 acres he owns adjoining the Ace Hardware in Buena Vista, or about eight city blocks. “The first phase of the project is 150 houses – 50 percent of them to be deed-restricted,” Andrews said: “32 houses to be owned by CHA, and 32 apartments in partnership with CHA, aimed at income levels of 80 – 100% AMI (Area Median Income).
“There’s lots of state money available to help with the housing crisis,” he continued. “If this project is owned by the Housing Authority, that’s the best way to take advantage of state money.”
Andrews said that he would act as developer for the project, but that he was seeking help from the CHA to work on the development plan.
The Crossing Phase 1 Site Plan from the July 25 Buena Vista Board of Trustees Meeting Packet.
“The advantages for the CHA includes $100,000 per year in cash flow [from rentals]. The advantage to us as developers is that working with the CHA makes it a lot easier for us to go to the state and get grants for infrastructure,” he added.
In answer to a question from the Board, Andrews said that his company would own the land, and that the CHA would end up owning some of the buildings, but that some were also going to be market-rate housing.
“It’s been great working with Paul, and he’s been helping us get what we need, which is apartments right now,” said Buena Vista Mayor Libby Fay, who was attending the meeting remotely. The motion to approve Resolution 2023-17 carried unanimously.
Officers named to CHA Board
Board Officer elections for the remainder of the year saw Craig Nielson reinstated as Chairman, Jeff Eaton as Vice-Chair, alternate Tricia Arosemena as Secretary, and Rich Mancuso as Treasurer.
Kappel gave updates on the Bezos Grant, which aims towards funding emergency services for families facing homelessness. A motion to approve Resolution 2023-19, entering into the grant agreement, passed unanimously.
In other business, before going into Executive Session, the BOD discussed upcoming trainings, heard a standing report from Salty Riggs of the BETCH group, and discussed holding meetings in Buena Vista as well as Salida.
Editor’s Note: Ark Valley Voice received unofficial word on Tuesday, July 25 that a state grant of $1.287 million had been or would be awarded for the Jane’s Place project. But as of yet, we have received no CHA press release confirming this good news. When we receive something — we will publish it.
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